News / fire

Fire crews race to put out car park blaze

By Martin Booth  Wednesday Aug 27, 2025

Smoke poured from a city centre car park following a fire breaking out on one of the top floors.

Drivers were evacuated from Cabot Circus car park at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, with fire crews from as far as Avonmouth and Pill then racing to the scene.

The fire was later confirmed to have started in a car.

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At 2.30pm, Avon Fire & Rescue Service tweeted: “We have been responding to a car fire at a car park in Newfoundland Circus, Bristol City Centre.

“The fire is now extinguished but we still have a number of fire engines on scene. One lane of the M32 is closed, police are managing the traffic. Thank you for your patience.”

Fire crews arrived on the scene shortly after 1.30pm – photo: Martin Booth

A spokesperson for Cabot Circus said: “We can confirm that earlier today, there was a vehicle on fire on the seventh floor of our car park.

“The fire brigade were quickly on the scene and the fire was extinguished.

“The fire brigade have confirmed we can reopen Level Ground up to and including Level 6 of the car park to allow cars to leave.

“As the safety of our customers, colleagues and retailers is always our top priority, Level 7 and Level 8 will remain closed for further investigation and structural assessment.”

Vehicles are not able to be removed yet from the car park’s top two floors following the fire – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo & video: Martin Booth

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